Flight Dubai To Tel Aviv Cockpit Attack Details Confirmed By Prosecutor General
The United Arab Emirates attorney general announced that the copilot of FlyDubai flight Fz1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv planned a terrorist act and used an emergency axe from the cockpit to attack the captain in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft, according to an ansa.it report. Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated that the investigation into the incident aboard the aircraft, which occurred on a Wednesday, remains ongoing. Flightradar24 data showed the Boeing 737 Max suddenly lost about 17,000 feet of altitude in one minute during the struggle.
The suspect was identified as Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old first officer born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother. Reporting from the Wall Street Journal revealed that al-Hammami had previously been dismissed by Oman Air over concerns regarding extremist views and had briefly flown for Royal Air Maroc before joining Flydubai roughly eight months prior to the attack. According to his removed LinkedIn profile, he attended Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe, Southern England, where he earned a distance-learning bachelor’s degree in air transport management in 2023. His tenure at Royal Air Maroc reportedly began in June 2025 and ended in January 2026.
Cockpit Struggle And Emergency Landing In Saudi Arabia
Captain Smit Machchhar sustained multiple stab wounds during the assault and spoke from his hospital bed via a video call shared by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s staff. Machchhar recounted that despite collapsing from his injuries, he heard the aircraft plunging and used a final burst of energy to open the cockpit door so that passengers could intervene. He stated, “I was trying to save my own life, but I knew I couldn’t let all those people die.” The flight, carrying 174 occupants including 166 Israeli citizens, was forced to divert and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Contrasting accounts detail the moments leading up to the diversion. While UAE authorities confirmed the intent to take over the controls, passengers described joining the active struggle inside the flight deck once the door opened. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi both praised Machchhar’s actions for averting an in-flight catastrophe. Netanyahu honored his “extraordinary courage” for preventing a “catastrophe in flight,” while Modi praised his “immense courage” for avoiding “a great tragedy.” Flydubai subsequently suspended its scheduled route to Tel Aviv at the request of authorities.
Investigators examine suspect digital footprints and prior warnings
Investigators examined digital footprints linked to the suspect following the event. CNN reported that a LinkedIn profile bearing the name Hamam al-Hammami, which was later removed, published two posts nine hours after the incident. Israeli Channel 12 and the Wall Street Journal noted that Omani authorities had previously barred the pilot from flying due to radicalization concerns, though it remains unclear whether those warnings were communicated to other carriers. Some observers suggest that a basic check of web clues would have revealed these issues regarding the first officer of the Emirati low-cost carrier.
The repatriation of affected citizens followed the suspension of direct links. Ansa.it confirmed that the first repatriation flight operated by Israeli carrier Arkia landed at Ben Gurion Airport from Dubai shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday, returning stranded Israeli nationals home after Flydubai halted operations and El Al cancelled scheduled rescue flights.
Frequently Asked Questions About The FlyDubai Investigation
Who was operating the FlyDubai flight when the attack occurred?
The flight was operated by a captain and a first officer. UAE authorities identified the first officer as Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old pilot who had joined Flydubai approximately eight months before the incident.
Where did the aircraft land after the cockpit assault?
The Boeing 737 Max made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after diverting from its original route between Dubai and Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
What did investigators discover on the suspect’s social media accounts?
CNN reported that a LinkedIn profile under the suspect’s name published posts containing cockpit videos, images of El Al planes, a photo of Ayman al-Zawahiri, and views of holy sites nine hours after the incident.
When did Israeli citizens return home following the flight suspension?
An Arkia flight carrying Israeli nationals departed Dubai on Friday and landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday.
Investigation Participation
Israel is expected to participate in the investigation into the incident.
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